Kingston, 2 August 2023 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has described the national team’s historic qualification to the knockout stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup this morning as the “proudest moment in Jamaica’s football history.”

The Reggae Girlz advanced to the round of 16 for the first time by drawing 0-0 with Brazil.

Minister Grange said: “Their hard fought and determined draw against powerhouse Brazil is most commendable… I could not help shedding a few tears of joy.”

The Reggae Girlz are undefeated and have not given up a goal at the 2023 tournament having earlier drawn 0-0 with the fifth ranked team, France, and beating Panama 1-nil for their first-ever victory at the World Cup. Jamaica finished their group in second place, behind France.

In her communications with the Girlz following today’s game, Minister Grange congratulated them on their performance and reminded them that the entire nation was proud and cheering for them.

Minister Grange reiterated her message which she wrote to the team on the eve of their game against France: “I can never tire of telling you how much your presence on the world stage means to Jamaica and the pride we all feel when we see you donned in the national colours.”

The Minister said that through the Reggae Girlz “we see that dreams do come true” and the girls are a source of inspiration for Jamaica and fully deserving of our full support.

“I am happy that my government has been able to support the Jamaica Football Federation and the women’s programme on yet another successful World Cup campaign.”

The Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and the Sports Development Foundation provides a monthly subvention of J$3M (J$36M per annum) to the JFF for its programmes. This year, the government allocated an additional J$20M specifically for the Reggae Girlz World Cup campaign, J$10M of which is to be paid directly to members of the squad under the Ministry’s Athlete Assistance Programme. In addition, the government insures the Reggae Girlz under the Jamaica Athlete Insurance Plan which covers all health related services including injuries and overseas emergency services up to US$100,000 per athlete.

“Our girls, particularly the Reggae Girlz, the Sunshine Girls (the national netballers who are competing in the World Netball World Cup in South Africa), and the women’s volleyball team (which won the Cazova Championship on the weekend) have made us very proud and have given us such a special gift as we celebrate our nation’s 61st anniversary of Independence. We are proud of them.”

END

Paris, France 8 June 2019 – The Minister of the Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says her government is embarked on a programme to provide greater support for and give better access to women and girls in sport.

Addressing the FIFA Women’s Football Convention in Paris, France on Friday, Minister Grange said the Government of Jamaica was “leading the way” in creating a more friendly environment for women in sport.

Minister Grange said:

“Women in sport do not get as much support [as men] and so women’s football has its challenge in Jamaica. However, the government leads the way in [providing greater access]. In introducing our various sports competitions at the primary and kindergarten school level, we’ve insisted that at least three girls must play on the team with the boys. So we’re institutionalising recognition and promoting of women in sport.”

Minister Grange also told the FIFA Convention that the government was working “very closely with the Jamaica Football Federation to ensure that the support is there for women’s football.”

Minister Grange is in France as a special guest of FIFA. She will attend the senior Jamaican team’s inaugural game at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday.

Minister Grange said the Reggae Girlz historic qualification to the Women’s World Cup had “created waves throughout the country and throughout the Jamaican Diaspora and the Caribbean. They are icons and we are extremely proud of them and they have served to inspire many young girls who now want to play football."

Recently, Minister Grange announced new rules for local sports federations to access funding from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (including the Sports Development Foundation). The rules require federations to give greater support to special olympians, paralympians, women and girls.

The Ministry, through the Institute of Sports, has also awarded equal prize money for girls and boys teams in its Primary Schools football and netball competitions.

Statement from the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

the Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP

The Reggae Girlz will play their final home game against a strong Panama team on Sunday, May 19 before heading to the FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

It will be no ordinary match.  It will be our official send off for the girls who’ve made us so proud.

Come out to the National Stadium on Sunday.

Let’s all wear GOLD.  Let's show them love.  And let's give full support to our girls.

See you there!

Kingston 19 December 2018 – The national celebrations in honour of the historic qualification of the Jamaican team to the FIFA Women’s World Cup were a huge success, according to the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.

The Minister said, the four-day celebrations, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, had achieved the objectives of introducing the Reggae Girlz to the people of Jamaica, presenting them as role models for women across the country and set the stage for increased tangible support for the team ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Minister appealed for more resources for the Girlz:

“I want to use the opportunity to encourage the private sector to come on board. So far a few have come on board, but we need more. We want them to put their money where their mouth is. We don’t want after we come back with the World Cup they all coming on the wagon. We want it up front. We want the financial support to make sure that the Girlz have all they need to ensure that they are well prepared for France.”

The four days of activities which began on Saturday ended on Tuesday with the Girlz being presented with the keys to Spanish Town and St Ann’s Bay by the respective mayors.

His Worship Councillor Norman Scott, presented the Key to Spanish Town at a civic ceremony held in Emancipation Square while His Worship Councillor Michael Belnavis presented the Key to St Ann’s Bay at a civic ceremony held at Sandals Ochi Beach Club in Ocho Rios.

The Reggae Girlz captain, Konya Plummer, who accepted the Keys on behalf of her teammates said they were “deeply humbled and appreciative” of the honour bestowed upon them.

In between the presentations, the members of the national team enjoyed the attractions at Mystic Mountain and at Dunn’s River Falls and Park, where the Girlz were welcomed with singing and the waving of flags by craft vendors and members of the public.

Minister Grange reflected on the significance of the Reggae Girlz being presented with keys to Spanish Town and St Ann’s Bay — two towns whose impact on Jamaican history has been immense.

It is believed that Christopher Columbus first landed in St Ann’s Bay in 1494 with New Seville becoming the first Spanish capital of Jamaica in 1509.

Spanish Town became the second capital of Jamaica in 1534 after the Spanish abandoned New Seville. Spanish Town is the oldest continuously inhabited town in Jamaica.

The Reggae Girlz were also presented with Keys to Kingston and Montego Bay and hosted by the Prime Minister during the celebrations.

Kingston 10 December 2018 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the schedule of activities to honour the Reggae Girlz’ historic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

“I want them to feel very special,” said Minister Grange.

The activities begin on Saturday (December 15) with a motorcade.

Minister Grange said:
“The motorcade will go through the Corporate Area. It will go into St Catherine. One of the stops will be GC Foster (College of Physical Education and Sport). Two of the girls are from Arnett Gardens, so we’re going to do something there. And we want to take them to western Jamaica.”

Minister Grange said it was “important that the girls are given a hero’s welcome and shown appreciation for their outstanding achievement” of qualifying for the World Cup Finals to be held in France in 2019.

“We want to ensure that as many Jamaicans see them and we’re asking all Jamaicans to join us in celebrating with them. We want to make sure that they go to France ready to tek it to dem”.

The celebratory activities include a major praise, worship and thanksgiving concert at Emancipation Park on Sunday (December 16) featuring some of the biggest names in local gospel music including Kevin Downswell, Kukudoo, Sista Pat and Wayne Marshall.

The Reggae Girlz will also be feted at a special reception hosted by Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness.

The full schedule follows:

Friday 14 December 2018

• Overseas-based members of team arrive 

Saturday 15 December 2018

• Motorcade across Montego Bay, St Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew 

Sunday 16 December 2018

• Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving Concert at Emancipation Park (5pm to 8pm) 

Monday 17 December 2018

• Courtesy Calls on leaders (schedule to be confirmed)
• Reception hosted by the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness

Tuesday 18 December 2018

• Fun day (North Coast) 

Wednesday 19 December 2018

• Members of team depart Jamaica